We’re friends here, right? We at Marianne’s Rentals are going to let you in on a secret. Do you want to have the best wedding possible? With every last detail taken care of? With the decorations and food that you really desire? With a small budget?

Invite less people.

Now hear us out. We know that you want to invite that girl you had class with one time in college who agreed a little too strongly when you mentioned you were unlucky in love. We know that you want to invite every last sorority sister or fraternity brother two years older than you and two years younger than you. But think of it this way – would you want to spend $100+ dollars on that person? If you wouldn’t take them out to dinner for $100, they shouldn’t be invited.

When planning a guest list, you should figure out how much you want to spend per person. Factor in everything – not just the food. The decorations, the alcohol, the music, etc. It really makes you look at your guest list differently. You could have an “eh” wedding and invite 350 people, or you could have the wedding you’ve always dreamed of with just 100 guests made up of your family and closest friends.

Put your money where it matters. Numbers are everything when it comes to budget. Be honest about what you can afford and also be careful when purchasing “packages”. Some wedding venues have packages for 150 guests, but if you’re only inviting 80, then there’s 70 guests you are paying for, but aren’t there. Have it at the right venue. Just because a venue is free, doesn’t mean you’re going to not spend the same amount getting tables and chairs there versus a place that already has everything that you need.

When you think about it, all you really need is a bride, a groom, (or two grooms and two brides), a witness and a judge. Everything else is extra. We’ll try not to get sappy here, but a wedding is really about celebrating a couple and the new journey they are about to take together. You don’t always need 350 people mauling a chocolate fountain in the background to do that.

Did you have an intimate wedding, or are you planning one? Leave us a comment below and let us know what worked for you!